Here I go sounding crazy again. I have had bug bites on my legs for over a month now, they are not healing. They swell & get pus in the middle of the bite. Has anyone ever had this problem? Is this just another part of lupus?

Yes, my bug bites are not healing well either and I'm afraid that many of them are going to leave scars. I have no idea why this is happening. I've had some for at least a month and now they look like permanent reddish scars. Mine don't pus like yours though, so I wonder if you should see a doctor about them to make sure they aren't infected. I'm not sure if this is part of lupus or because of some of the meds, but it's just another pain in the rear thing we have to deal with.

Hi--I don't know what type of bites you have, we have fire ants and I have a terrible time getting them to heal. They can remain a pus filling lump for a month or so and sometimes scar at least for a while. I've been able to clear them up by draining them and putting alcohol on them to really dry them out. And once they scab over, putting neosporin on them if they don't get better. I think the doc may be a good idea because one time I thought I had bites and it turned out to be hives and another time I got an allergic reaction to a yellow fly bite and got sick after a few days. I hope you get them cleared up. I had horses, and as for horse fly and deer fly bites, for itching, I used to use tiger balm, which is a really strong camphor ointment like an intense form of bengay, and it seeme to take the itch out but they still hung around. I hope the bugs stop biting. Oh, another thing I learned from the horses is that if you take Avon Skin So Soft and mix it half and half with water in a spray bottle you can use it for an insect spray and we used to use it on the horses and it works better in most cases than any of the agricultural, chemical based sprays, even with some mosquitos, gnats, bot flys, deer, black, horse flys, and just about any biting insects. If you go in a tack shop (horse equipment store) you will find it there because we all use it on our horses.Love, Marji

--Doctors are men who prescribe medicines of which they know little, to cure diseases of which they know less in human beings of whom they know nothing.--Voltaire (1694-1778)

Hi BHK, how's the bug bites doing? Like Marji mentioned SSS from avon is a wonderful product. they don't advertise it for bug repellant too much but it does work. We used it on our horses too. I actually use it in my bathwater. You can get an avon rep from the phone book. alot of times if you go directly thru avon they will have a 2 for 1 special. They have different types of skin so soft so tell them what you need it for. My mom is a big shot avon rep she says she gets orders for it all the time. I have a lot of bites that I am having trouble with. This is my first spring/summer in oklahoma but the weather is so wet the bugs are just aweful. Maybe you are having a reaction to something else or your immune system isn't doing a good job right now.

I hope you get some releif and your questions aren't any crazier than mine. So join the club!lovecarolGod Bless

Thanks ladys, I have always had problems with bug bites but this is ridiculous. I have been known to go to ER in the past broke out head to toe in hives to find out it started from a bug bite. The itching is what is driving me crazy & believe it or not they are still pusing over. I have been trying the alcohol trick & it is working.

I have read somewhere that taking thiamine helps deter the mosquitos. Thiamine is just a supplement but I'm very curious about it. The skeeters are horrible here, I think I will ask my doc if there is a problem with taking it. What's another pill? lol

I have similar reactions due to allergies to bugs. Usually the doctor prescribes antihistimine, Claratin and sometimes an antibiotic if infected. Takes forever for me to heal from any abrasion and for my scars to go away no matter what the reason. I wish you the best - Kristin

Carol, I still have them but they are better. I go to the dermy the 30th so I will let her take a look. Now I have this strange rash with blisters on hands & feet. I'll tell you if its not one thing then another!

unfortunately i have no advice, just here to say, yeah i don't heal for junk anymore. bug bites, you know those random scratches that come from no where, same with bruises for me, healing cuts and fading bruises can be there anywhere from a month (on avg) and i had one bite that lasted for like 2 almost 2 1/2 (prolly partially do to mindless scratching) but anyway, talked to my doc a while ago bout it and he kinda shruged his shoulders, which started me doubting his medical liscense but yeah, i'd say try anything you can lol, i still have scars from mesquito bites from almost 3 years ago!! this stuff is crazy, well anywho, 5am babbling, good luck with ur bugs

I got a some bug bites while out on the 4th of July weekend. They too became inflamed and swollen. You may also want to try over the counter cortizone cream on the bites that are looking infected. It seems to clear them up quicker for me with little to no scaring. Best of luck and hope you feel better soon.DX: Migraine; SLE; Diverticulitis;HB;neuropathyseizures; Sjogrens

Hi there - I read somewhere that lupus patients do have problems with anything skin related. I too get a reaction to all bug bites. If I get a mosquito bite, it gets really red (you can actually see the inflamation spread) and the hive is quite large. It's hot to the touch too??? The next day, it can still look fresh. I have a camphor that I use too and it does help with the itching. Eventually, it goes away but I can still see where I was bit (not a real scar but more of a red patch - unless I've scratched too much!)

I also get huge welps from mosquito bites and I don't even have to scratch it for it to do it. I have a bad habit of scratching though when I get a bite. I have tried benedryl, After Bite, alcohol, you name it... any one have any suggestions? I'm slowly scarring myself up over these things.

Hi. You don't sound at all crazy to me. You actually help to reaffirm my own sanity a little. Ever since shortly after I started on the prednisone, nothing heals properly on me. Whether it be a bug bite, a small burn from the stove (I'm not so handy in the kitchen), or a small cut from the razor; I am scarred in many places. I have wondered many times what I might look like after several years of this. Some small places on my legs from around last fall have finally gone away, but it must take a long time. Take care.Always looking for the silver lining, Sharen